Page 97 of Fortune's Control
“I would love the job.”
“Good, then let’s get going.”
My stomach twisted all over again. I smiled, choosing to radiate confidence. “You can drive.” I gave Pirate a goodbye pet, grabbed my purse, and closed the kitchen door.
“I always aspired to be a chauffeur,” Shane said after locking up. His grin belied the grumble in his voice.
“Just in case,” I said, checking the back door one final time.
*****
Lainey saw us and clapped her hands. “They’re in the conference room. Book club should end any second now.”
I smoothed the front of my blue sundress, removing any sudden wrinkles or dust specks.
Shane watched me and shrugged. “If she judges you for not wearing a ball gown, then we’re leaving.” He leaned against the library front desk to rummage through some pamphlets.
The conference room door opened, and several women shuffled out. I waved at Diane as she passed by, and searched the rest, hoping for a familiar face.
“Hey, Evelyn,” Lainey called for me. “I have something for you.”
An older woman approached, her medium-length silver hair framing her face. She parted it on the side, in the same style as Sarah Jane. “Honey, if they don’t get naked, I won’t read it.”
Shane’s eyebrows raised at the comment as he glanced toward me with a suppressed smile.
“It’s not a book this time,” Lainey said.
She looked at me, wondering what to say next, but Evelyn beat her to it. “Shane Wilcott. You don’t remember me, do you? Hmph, that’s what happens when you leave for more than a decade.”
Shane dropped his pamphlet as his mouth opened to respond.
Evelyn kept right on going. “Son, close your mouth. There are plenty of largemouth bass in the creek; we don’t need one in the library.”
Was she my long-lost grandmother? The wave in her hair resembled mine, but she lacked the tighter curls along her temples and forehead. Her dark blue jeans and black leather belt didn’t resemble my mother, and neither did the polyester blouse.
“I’m back for good,” he said.
“And leading our team to baseball victory,” she said before putting her attention on me. “You must be the rumored wife. Shane’s mother is rolling in her grave over all of it. Does he treat you well?”
“Yes, very well,” I said. It came out as a stammer. Up close, her lack of wrinkles stood out, but her chinclinched it. I recognized that narrow chin whenever I looked in the mirror.
“This is Delilah Mayberry,” Shane said, introducing us. We waited for any sign of recognition, but there was nothing. He kept going. “She used to live in Atlanta.”
She shook her head. “Big city with too many people. I barely tolerate Gainesville. Tell me, do you plan to stay in Fortune’s Creek or head back home to the bright lights of Atlanta?”
It’s strange. I’d half-expected Shane to whip out a questionnaire or throw her into an interrogation room before allowing me to speak with her, when there was no reason to. My relationship with Evelyn Carter, if she were my grandmother, was my own. Whatever happened next was my choice.
I’d waited so long to find her, even coming to Fortune’s Creek for the opportunity. A part of me wanted to know, while another part was afraid to learn the truth. What if she were just like my mother? Worse, what if Sarah Jane told me the truth? Evelyn Carter knew I existed and didn’t care.
I grabbed Shane’s hand and squeezed with every bit of strength I had. “Did you ever know Sarah Jane Mayberry?” My throat closed up as adrenaline and fear coursed through my body.
“Sarah Jane Mayberry.” Evelyn’s demeanor softened. She took my chin, but it was closer to a caress than an inspection. “Oh, heavens. I didn’t know she changed her last name.”
Hope grabbed and held me. “I’m her daughter.”
She paled. “Honey, you’re my granddaughter.” Evelyn moved her head as shock and joy took over her expression. She rolled back, struggling to process it all. “My granddaughter. Oh, my darling girl, look at you. You look so much like her, I should have seen it.”
“Would you like to go to lunch at the Creekside Diner? We could get to know each other.”
